Thermafleece & Wildlife: Safety and Interaction
Thermafleece is designed to be compatible with the natural environment. Our use of borax (sodium borate) provides essential protection against wool-eating insects while remaining safe for protected species like bats.
Protected Species & Beneficial Insects
- Bats: Thermafleece is suitable for use in or around bat roosts. Borax is a permitted active ingredient for these sensitive areas, and because the wool is pre-treated, no additional on-site chemical treatments are required.
- Bees: Bees are unaffected by Thermafleece. Borax only affects insects that ingest wool fibres, which bees do not do. Additionally, borax does not off-gas or act as a repellent, so it will not irritate or intoxicate bees in close proximity.
Common Household Pests
- Moths: The borax fire retardant in our wool ensures the insulation is not susceptible to clothes moth attacks without needing synthetic biocides.
- Ants & Wasps: Thermafleece does not attract or repel these insects. Wasps build nests from cellulose (wood), whereas wool is made of keratin. While ants may occasionally nest in the voids of any porous insulation, Thermafleece presents no unique risk.
- Rodents: Thermafleece is at no greater risk of rodent damage than standard mineral fibre insulation. The risk depends on the building’s overall infestation level rather than the insulation material itself.
Flies & Microorganisms
- Cluster Flies: These flies may overwinter in lofts because the temperature is mild, but they do not feed on or damage the wool.
- General Flies: Flies cannot feed on the insulation. While a faint “sheepy” scent from some batches may briefly attract them, this scent dissipates quickly once the material is aired and installed.
- Mould: Clean sheeps wool is not a primary food source for mould. However, to prevent growth, it is vital to maintain relative humidity below 80% through proper ventilation and vapour control.
